Goodbye Yankee Stadium

The 2008 baseball season, the final one at historic Yankee Stadium, looks to be just about done for the New York Yankees.  With 30 games remaining and the Yankees 7 games behind the Red Sox in the Wild Card it looks as if the Yankees will not make the playoffs for the first time since 1993.  This is a sad time in Yankee history.  With the Old Ballpark set to close this season it seems as if the Yankees turned the lights out a tad too early.  

Since 1996, the Yankees were about as synonymous with winning as any franchise in sports.  The pressure to keep up those winning ways might have, in fact, sunk the Yankees this season.  The Yankees have, by far, baseball's highest payroll.  This can be attributed to bad contracts such as Jason Giambi, Carl Pavano, Kei Igawa, Bobby Abreu, Hideki Matsui, and even Alex Rodriguez have put the Yankees over the top while limiting the identity of the team.  There are no scrappers like there were in the late 1990's.  There is no Tim Raines type who is a team first guy.  There is no Paul O'Neill to smash a water cooler to loosen up the team when times are bad.  There is no veteran leadership.  Derek Jeter, the Captain of the Yankees, is failing at his job.  His boring, unemotional comments after bad losses is tired and old.  It seems the Yankees machine has turned Jeter into an all-business, no emotion robot who is programmed with the same answers.  I hate to say it, but Alex Rodriguez has shown more emotion lately and as well he should.  He has had a horrid season worthy of a refund.  Speaking of refunds, Jason Giambi should personally apologize to every fan.  A $20 million professional hitter, a former MVP, who can't hit to left field unless by accident.  Wow!  I truly have seen everything.  

This brings me to Brian Cashman, the architect of this slop of a team.  I know you saw the writing you put on the wall Brian.  Why else would you all of a sudden commit to a youth movement with a team this old?  You misled your fanbase by telling them you were going to trim payroll, make the roster more flexible.  Well, the roster certainly has flexed.  Your use of the 60 day DL and the 40 man roster is dizzying.  It almost seemed that once things began to turn sour, Mr. Cashman, you hit the panic button and lost all semblance of a plan.  Why else would you bring Carl Pavano back to the major leagues?  Why else would you play eeney, meeney, miney, moe with the catching situation after Jorge Posada, the man you gave a $46 million contract to at age 36, went down with a bum shoulder?  Why is it that almost every other team can get service out of their pitching staff, with the exception of the Rangers, but you can't?  MMM, yeah, good answer, Brian.  The blame can't rest on George Steinbrenner for this mess.  No sir, the blame rests right on your head, Cashman.  You are the one that thought Carl Pavano would be of some service at any point.  As I recall, the Mariners were willing to take on Pavano last year.  Great idea!  Oh wait, you decided Pavano would be your Opening Day starter.  Boy, am I thankful about that!

Well, I can't blame for Cashman for all of the ills that this team has come down with.  The media, who need to stay on the good side of the Yankees to maintain a working relationship won't tell you the truth.  The truth is the Yankees have stunk from the get-go.  Derek Jeter got off to a slow start and seemed to hit into a double play every time up with the game on the line.  Alex Rodriguez seemed to be Derek's doppleganger this season only with more power and more strikeouts.  Robinson Cano proved how vulnerable a free-swinging kid can be at the plate.  when he is on, Cano is one of the best.  Sadly, I have seen blind church mice with better plate vision.  Jason Giambi has been an albatross in some fashion ever since he was signed to a contract the Yankees should have torn up long ago.  Jorge Posada finally broke down.  It was bound to happen.  He was probably the most used catcher in baseball over the last half-decade.  Of course, when your backup is Wil Nieves and company I would have hesitated to sit you too during that time frame.  Melky Cabrera lost his zeal for the game.  Sure, he looks like he has fun after a game, but during it he was awful.  He should have been benched or sent down to the minors long ago.  Joe Girardi doesn't escape blame either.  So much for the ability to read a game.  Girardi struggled to find a rhythm with this team.  He seemed to be afraid to take risks.  There was too little bunting, especially after it was discovered this team could not hit with runners on.  I also blame Girardi for this blind faith that he, and many others had, that the Yankees were going to someday, someway wake up and put it all together.  Well, it was his job to make sure it happened and it never did.  I am not asking for Girardi to be fired but rather to fire it up.  There is nothing wrong with being a fiery leader as he was in Florida.  Yell at players for not hustling.  Sit players who don't listen.  Take risks when the situation calls for it.  And, for God sakes, make sure your entire team knows how to hit to all fields and bunt!  The players get paid to win, not pad their stats.  

Yes, 2008 will go down as one of the saddest seasons in recent memory.  There is one more year for the Yankees to redeem themselves.  This offseason should be one of the richest in free agent pitching in many years.  C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, and possibly A.J. Burnett headline a nice class.  The Yankees need to make a huge coup early in free agency.  They need to sign two of those three.  The Yankees rotation next year should look like this:  Sabathia, Chien Ming Wang, Ben Sheets, Joba Chamberlain, and Mike Mussina.  It is evident that Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy need a full year of triple A under their belts to work out some kinks.  They will be able to provide depth in case of injury and will be able to step right in, hopefully, when Mussina retires.  (For those of you who are wondering about Pettitte, I think he is retiring at the end of this season).  

The lineup also needs an overhaul.  Thankfully, the Yankees will have money coming off the books with some hideous contracts finally expiring.  A full court press should be made on Mark Texieria if he hits the market.  I doubt he will sign though.  However, that is not bad news.  There is a possibility Hank Blalock might become a free agent and he would be cheaper.  He would just need to accept the move from third base.  Elevating Juan Miranda who has had a good season at AAA would be another option, as would moving Xavier Nady over to first.  Joe Crede is also a free agent and might be convinced to save his back and move to first.  The Yankees need to allow Brett Gardner and Justin Christian chances tow in spots on this roster.  If one of them has a huge spring training then the Yankees might be able to package Melky and Ian Kennedy for a better bat.  

The Yankees need to do a quick turnaround here.  They have one offseason to do it.  They need to put a winning, championship-contending team on the field, while staying committed to bringing up the youth that served them so well recently and in the 1990's.  Cashman had better get it right this time around.  If not his job should be taken from him.  In the mean time I will be hoping the Yankees finally see the light that it really is the pitching stupid, and build around it.  Oh, and that the three-run home run thing is vastly overrated.

No Answer

It has been about a week now since I sent my email letter to Jeremy Ruby of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees and there is still no answer.  I guess he is too busy to answer his customers concerns.  Obviously this is indicative of the way people are treated with this team.  I am one step closer to getting rid of my tickets.  Time is running out for them.  I will resend my letter with an update in these coming days and see where this goes.  

Letter to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

The following is the letter I sent to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees' Jeremy Ruby.  He was the highest person on the ladder with an email address.  I will post any response I get on here as well.  Well, here it is:

Mr. Ruby,

My name is Chris Gamble and I have been a season ticket holder with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees since the beginning (granted that isn't that long ago).  I have supported the team as best as I can and have not been let down, until this past Saturday, August 16th.  I bought 16 tickets to the Legends Game through your organization.  My group and I were expecting a fun day of baseball and a chance to relive a great season in Yankee history.  What we got was a severe disappointment.  Not only was it a five inning game (understandable considering the age of some of the players) but most of the players could not play the entire game and were replaced by what appeared to be local high school kids.  This was not worth the $30 admission.  I was also told that the players would not do a formal autograph session but would be "highly encouraged to sign autographs and interact with the fans."  This turned out to be a joke.  Access to the players was extremely limited and when Goose Gossage set up an autograph table in the Coors Light Pavilion I was denied entry.  I, along with a lot of other fans, attempted to get autographs of the players as they left but instead got the cold shoulder.  I had a 9 year old girl with my group who was so excited to try and meet one of the players.  All she got was disappointment as the sheriff deputies yelled at her for standing on a sidewalk outside the stadium.  She was not alone in being yelled at, and or verbally abused by these deputies.  I overheard these so-called law enforcement professionals make fun of the fans, tell us we had to go home immediately, and yell at fans about where to stand, what to do and when to do it.  These men were hardly professional as they were seen by myself, and several other fans, obtaining autographs from the very players the paying public came to see.  I do not appreciate being treated like a criminal, nor do I appreciate being treated like a piece of dog excrement by the people who are supposed to protect the general public.  The actions of those deputies was well beyond anything that was necessary.  I did not serve in Iraq fighting the Global War on Terror only to be treated like a terrorist at your park.  

I know this was not your event and that you are not responsible for the actions of the deputies but it was hosted at your facility and manned by your staff.  You should be alert as to how your paying season ticket holders are treated.  Several other regular season ticket holders and I had discussed our various experiences of that day and not a single one was happy.  We paid a high price, $30, got treated poorly, and didn't even get what we paid for, which is a 5 inning game between Red Sox and Yankee players, not high school kids.  You might want to explain this to the sponsors of the event the next time they use your park and advertise on your website.  This is your team and your team has a good history of treating fans well.  I have always had a good time at your park.  Some of my best baseball experiences have come at PNC Field.  All of this has been negated by the 16th of August.  I am seriously considering dropping my season tickets because of this.  I do not want to be subjected to abuse from the sheriff deputies stationed around your park.  I do not want to feel like I was robbed by co-sponsors of events you host.  

I hope that you will take action on these matters.  I look forward to any response you might have regarding this matter.  These are your fans that were treated like this, the same fans that helped your team break attendance records last year.  Thank you for your time and courtesy in this matter.  I look forward to hearing back from you.  Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Chris Gamble

Mistreatment at the Legends Game

On Saturday, August 16th, I attended a Legends Game at PNC Field that saw nine members of the 1978 Red Sox take on nine members of the 1978 Yankees.  Tickets for this event were $30 and were being sold through the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, though they claim to have had no part in this event.  When I purchased the tickets for the event I was told there would be no formal autograph session but that the players would be encouraged to interact with the fans and sign autographs.  I also was not told that the game would only be 5 innings.  I had to find that out much later, after my tickets had arrived.

Even upon finding out that it would not be a 9 inning game I still held onto the belief that this event, hosted by the Times-Tribune, would be fan-friendly.  Boy, was I wrong.  The players did not sign many autographs, with some players completely ignoring the fans altogether.  Not only did we, the paying public, get fleeced for $30 but the players didn't play the entire 5 innings.  Some of the guys took time off and were replaced by kids.    This was a slap in the face because we, the customers, did not get what we paid for.  

The Times-Tribune should be ashamed of itself for sponsoring the event.  The sheriff deputies that pulled security for this event were bordering on abusive.  They shouted at fans to stay away from certain areas outside the park which fans usually access after games for autographs.  At one point me and the group I was with were told we had to leave the sidewalk that is in front of the stadium.  We were walking, talking, and trying to find out where and what to do next.  Well, the deputies apparently made it illegal to stand on sidewalks in Moosic after Legends games.  I was appalled at this.  First off, my car was on the other side and I would have had to cross this "sensitive area" to get to my car.  How can this police officer tell me I can't walk there?  This pisses me off more than anything.  I fought for my country, went over o Iraq to fight the Global War on Terror.  I did not do this to be treated like Osama bin Laden's cousin.  I am not a terrorist.  The next time I am treated like one I fear I might explode.  (There is a side story involving my attendance with Tracy at a Yankee game on the 17th of August and a camera bag.)  

These cops, by the way, were seen getting autographs from the players for themselves.  I think that is piss poor professionalism, locking out the general public and then getting autographs for yourself.  Speaking of locking out the public, Goose Gossage was signing autographs at a table in the Coors Light Pavilion of PNC Field.  This was not a scheduled event and as far as I can tell it was just Goose being courteous to his fans who paid good money to see him.  However, PNC Field Staff quickly locked the gates, making the only entrance/exit back inside the stadium.  I attempted to go this way, actually getting inside the stadium again only to have my entry blocked by PNC Field staff telling us there was no entry.  I couldn't help but wonder how all the people behind him got past him.  Surely he could see the tens upon tens of people walking around behind him.  Later, I found out through another fan that when security got tired they began telling people they needed a ticket to be in the Coors Light Pavilion.  Some people were even kicked out from the line to get Goose's autograph.  Just a terrible way to treat the fans who paid for this event.  

I could understand if this was a game that counted for something, or there actually was a security risk.  But these guys were retired and would fade into obscurity if it were for fans willing to pay $30 to see them play an exhibition game.  This was purely a money grab set up by the Times-Tribune, PNC Field, and the other sponsors of this event.  After the game, one could meet the players.  Well, only if they paid $200 for a "Meet the Players" party held at Mohegan Sun.  Mohegan Sun, for those of you that don't know, is a gambling institution.  I don't know if children would be allowed into this event but if I were a parent I would not want them to be exposed to that environment.  Also, only the very well off can afford $200 tickets.  This was another way to stick it to the average fan.  Sadly, average fans just seem to roll over and take it these days.  Well, this is one fan who refuses to roll over anymore.  I will soon be sending in a formal complaint to the SWB Yankees.  I will keep you posted as to the outcome of that complaint.  I am betting it gets shoved under the rug and I give up my season tickets.  At this rate, they can have them.

Fielding the Team of my Dreams

After some thought and deliberation I have come up with the baseball team I would field if I were a GM.  Obviously, since this is a fantasy, there is no money involved.  After all, who puts a price on their dreams...unless the dream is winning $100 million.  Well, here it is, only current players are on here and a full 25 man roster is listed:

C:  Geovany Soto - Ok, so sometimes it is easy picking the best guy at the position.  His youth and talent make him one of the few franchise cornerstones found at the catchers position in the game today.  

1B:  Mark Teixeira - Glove and offense.  He kind of reminds me of Don Mattingly back when Mattingly was one of the best in the game.  Teixeira is one of the best to come along in years.  He is quiet about it too which I like.

2B:  Robinson Cano - OK, so he has no idea what a walk is but this kid can rake.  In a bit of an off year but how can someone pass on a guy with this much talent?  He is also stellar in the field giving many the impression of Roberto Alomar or Carlos Baerga.  Besides, how do you pass up such a well rounded offensive talent for the bottom of your lineup?

3B:  Alex Rodriguez - The best player in the game.  Some say he is not clutch but I still remember all those homers in the 9th and beyond last year as vividly as his strikeouts and double plays.  Besides, I think A-Rod gets a bad rap for the most part.  Sure, he hasn't been A-Rod but in the series against LA in 2005, you know the one where he was blamed for the Yankees loss for hitting 0 homers and batting .133 he had an OBP of .381.  He walked 6 times that series meaning he was on base and other people didn't drive him in.  He has no excuse for the Detroit series in 2006 but no Yankee does.  I'll take A-Rod and his bat and glove.A-Rod rounding bases after another home run.

SS:  Derek Jeter - OK, obvious choice but how do you turn down The Captain?  Nobody is classier and few are as good all around as Jeter.  Even in an off year like this year he is still batting .280+ and winning games.  

LF:  Curtis Granderson - Jimmy Rollins won the NL MVP based upon his 20-20-20 season but Granderson hardly got noticed with his 20-20-20 season.  He is a great player to have and one of the most exciting in the game.  Injuries robbed him of a breakout year this year but it coming.  Yes I am saying he is going to get better.

CF:  Josh Hamilton - One of my all-time favorite players.  This guy could .280 with 15 homers and 70 RBI and I would still love watching him play.  The energy and joy he displays are contagious.  Plus, his story is amazing and inspirational.  He seems like the anti-Strawberry.  I hope he stays that way.

RF:  Xavier Nady - This guy is now my favorite Yankee.  I always respected this guy from when he was with the Mets but he has opened my eyes since joining the Yankees.  He has not shrunk from pressure.  He makes very nice plays in the field and has become a bit of an extra-base machine.  He is also 4th in the majors right now (combined BA from Pirates and Yanks) in batting average.  The X-Man is my pick.

The X-Man, Xavier Nady.

DH: David Ortiz - Since I am an AL fan I get a DH.  Not the hitter he was a couple of years ago as age, weight, and health seem to be robbing him of monster numbers.  Still, I love Ortiz's respect for the game.  He is professional yet personable.  He clowns around and has fun and is always smiling.  I, as a Yankee fan, hate the Red Sox but I can't deny the passion Ortiz ahs for the game.  I cna't help but wonder what would have been if the Yankees had done the smart things and signed him after he was released by the Twins.

SP:  Joba Chamberlain - On top of his potential I love his personality.  Like Ortiz he is always smiling and goofing off but is very respectful of the game.  He is going to be, barring injury (I have to say that now that he is on DL) one of the greatest to put on Pinstripes.Joba's famous fist-pump.

SP:  Brandon Webb - The best sinker-baller in the game.  He amazes me every time I watch highlights.

SP:  Mike Mussina - If this guy doesn't know how to pitch then nobody does.  I am a huge closet Mussina fan.  I thought he was done and I am so happy to be wrong.  This guy is one of the smartest around.

Mussina delivers.

SP:  Rich Harden - I could care less about the injuries.  If he is healthy you have the best pitcher in baseball.  If he isn't, you have the best pitcher on the DL.

SP:  Felix Hernandez - Only 21 and already a hitters worst nightmare.  This guy is a lot of fun to watch and the sick thing is he is only getting better.  Has middle of the road numbers, ok so it is the high road, on baseballs crappiest team.  Would love to see him in a Yankee uniform.

Closer:  Mariano Rivera - I'm going with the best ever at this position.  There is nobody I would rather see on the mound with the season on the line, unless of course I was the hitter.

RP:  Scot Shields - I can't believe he is not mentioned more in the conversation of best set-up man.  Consistent and reliable.  Oh, and damn good.

RP:  Chad Bradford - Amazing how he is basically a journeyman.  His numbers tell the story, consistent and reliable.  His motion makes him look like a gimmick but his pitching tells another story.  

RP:  Matt Lindstrom - Throws 100 MPH and knows where it is going.  With the Marlins after being traded for Carlos Delgado.  Can you say Scott Kazmir anyone?

RP:  Edwar Ramirez - Not the best at what he does but I do love watching his change make hitters look like fools.

RP:  Jon Rauch - One word sums him up: reliable.  

Bench:  

       C:  Chris Coste - I like thie way he approaches the game.

      CI:  Evan Longoria - He is about two seconds away from becoming my starting 3B which would move A-Rod to short and Jeter to DH.

     MI:  Yunel Excobar - The perfect compliment to any roster.  Versatile and a very god hitter.

     OF:  Justin Christian - An odd choice, I know, but I like the way he approaches the game.  Fast and always ready, Christian gets the nod for his pinch-running ability and all around ability to help anywhere in the OF.

     UT:  Chone Figgins - Where doesn't he play.  I swear, sometime I see him pitch, scoop the ground ball and throw to himself at first.  He is Mr. Everything.  Fun to watch and good at what he does.  

Let me know who you would pick for your team.  Have some fun with it.  Don't like my team?  Don't worry I'll be coming up with another soon.  I look forward to hearing from all of you.  Keep swinging for those fences.  Corny, I know but I don't care.

Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium

This past Saturday, August 2, 2008, I was able to attend an event I had always wanted to see, Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium.    I was not disappointed.  The ceremonies were delayed a bit by downpours of rain but once they began the sun broke through and nothing could stop Yankee Stadium from honoring 72 of its former players and four widows of Yankee greats.  Players from the last 16 Championship teams were represented and no other team in baseball can bring a collection of legends and champions like the Yankees did.

What really interested me was all the Yankees from the teams I grew up watching.  Willie Randolph, Dave Winfield, Jesse Barfield, Rickey Henderson, Steve Balboni, Pat Kelly, Dave Eiland, Kevin Maas, Paul O'Neill, David Wells, David Cone, Wade Boggs, Mike Stanley, Jimmy Key, Graeme Lloyd, Ramiro Mendoza, Tony Fernandez, Jim Abbott, Jeff Nelson Tim Raines, Tino Martinez, Wayne Tolleson, Goose Gossage, Don Baylor, and a bunch of others were all there from the teams I watched as a kid.  There were also legends galore, from Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Ron Guidry, Reggie Jackson, Graig Nettles, Moose Skowron, Jerry Coleman, Bobby Richardson, Don Larsen,  and others all got one more chance in the Yankee Stadium spotlight.  

No other team can honor history the way the Yankees can and that was in full view on Saturday.  Even the widows of Phil Rizzuto, Thurman Munson, Elston Howard, and Jim "Catfish" Hunter were honored.  To see these men, some still looking like they did in their playing days, standing along the first and third base lines, donning Yankee pinstripes one more time in the most famous Stadium in sports was touching and absolutely amazing.  

I have to thank Tracy and her mom for the tickets to this amazing event.  Thank you!!  

I will post pictures once I have figured out how to include pics on this site.